Barry Moore

Mr. MOORE of Alabama

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield now to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Babin).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Loudermilk).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas for his remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Guest).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Mississippi for his remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Owens), my good friend.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Utah for his remarks, and I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Self), my friend.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas and certainly all my colleagues. That is quite an amazing story to get firsthand in letters. I will close with an actual excerpt from a newspaper describing the reaction to D-Day at home in Montgomery, Alabama. Dear Gang, you are probably wondering what it was like at home on D-Day. Well, like everything else in the world, we guess, Montgomerians were steeped in reserved excitement, wanting to shout out: We are pulling for you, gang; but realizing there was an ocean in between. Everyone was literally burning with pride as the news flashed throughout the day. Radios were never turned off during that first 24 hours, and there was one topic of conversation and only one. All stores closed at 5 p.m., and at that same hour, twoscore buglers, stationed throughout the city, went into action. All traffic stopped, and a period of silent prayer was observed. At 8 p.m., prayer services were held in every Montgomery church. Almost without exception, every pew was filled. WSFA canceled all commercial programs and announcements and for more than 30 hours broadcast only invasion news or specially prepared programs in honor of the courageous men who sailed and flew across the channel. When prayers were being said over the air, it was not uncommon to see a sidewalk group, including some, perhaps, who were praying for the first time, lift their hats and stand reverently until the prayer was done. At 9 p.m., the whole town, along with the remainder of the Nation, listened with bowed heads as President Roosevelt offered his invasion day prayer. As the full Moon, riding in the partially clouded sky, shone down in later hours, Montgomerians finally closed their eyes; proud, appreciative, and confident of the eventual outcome. I thank all my colleagues again who participated and Congressman Palmer and his staff for their help in coordinating this Special Order. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1227, I call up the bill (H.R. 354) to amend title 18, United States Code, to improve the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act and provisions relating to the carrying of concealed weapons by law enforcement officers, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, our colleagues across the aisle very often told us that we didn't need firearms to protect ourselves, that they would send the police, and then last year and the year before, they were calling to defund the police. The very constituents that they said, don't worry, you can call the police, they want to defund. Now, they want to disarm retired law enforcement officers, who could be Johnny-on-the-spot, in many cases, to save civilian lives. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 354.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 354, the Law Enforcement Safety, or LEOSA, Reform Act allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm in national parks, school zones, public transportation, and some Federal facilities that are open to the public. LEOSA was initially signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2004 to exempt certain active and retired law enforcement officers from local and State prohibitions on the carrying of concealed firearms. In order to qualify under LEOSA, active law enforcement officers must meet several important requirements. For example, they must be authorized to carry a firearm by their agency. They cannot be subject to disciplinary actions by the agency that can result in the loss of their police power. They must meet certain firearm qualification standards. They cannot be under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances. They must not be prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm. Retired law enforcement officers must also meet several requirements in order to qualify under LEOSA. For example, they must have separated from service in good standing and served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more. They also are required to meet certain firearm training standards and must not be prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm. The LEOSA Reform Act will allow these officers to carry a concealed firearm in the same manner many citizens carry a firearm in their State. For example, the LEOSA Reform Act will allow law enforcement officers qualified under LEOSA to carry concealed firearms in national parks, Federal facilities that are open to the public, on public transportation, in school zones, and in other areas. The bill also reduces the frequency that qualified retired law enforcement officers are required to obtain certain qualification standards. Many States allow State-licensed, concealed carry permit holders to carry concealed firearms in gun-free school zones and on public transportation in the State in which they are licensed. This bill affords certain law enforcement officers the same privilege. The legislation improves public safety. Our officers face greater dangers, and current restrictions hinder their ability to carry firearms. At a time when violent crimes continue to plague our Nation, we must support our active and retired law enforcement officers and ensure that they are able to protect themselves and others, no matter where they are in the United States. This legislation is supported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and many others. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I actually listed four organizations. There are 21 law enforcement agencies and organizations around the country that support this legislation. I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rutherford), a friend of mine and one of the best shots I know.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Ms. Hageman speaking tonight on that. I certainly want to encourage everybody to get on this resolution, H. Res. 1019, to help free these folks and bring attention to this issue. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, American citizens from Alabama and Texas and their Nicaraguan partners have made it their mission to spread the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Nicaraguan people for nearly 30 years. Evangelists with Mountain Gateway Ministries have worked across the country, leading on disaster recovery and feeding, clothing, and planting churches with the support and assistance of the Nicaraguan government. In January, however, the Attorney General of Nicaragua began pursuing charges against three U.S. citizens associated with Mountain Gateway and 11 Mountain Gateway Nicaraguan pastors on trumped-up charges of money laundering and organized crime. In addition to being barred from meeting with their legal representation and their families, the lawyers on their case were denied access to the case files and to other relevant documentation against the pastors. During the sham trial, the government was unable to produce evidence of the alleged illicit activity. Despite this, the 11 pastors have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and a combined $1 billion in fines. These pastors were working to bless the people of Nicaragua, and now they have been thrown in prison, and all their property has been seized. These sentences leave families without income and children without mothers and fathers simply for sharing the good news of Jesus. I am deeply concerned that these citizens and pastors were targeted for sharing their faith. Matthew 5:10 says: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. I recently introduced a resolution, H. Res. 1019, condemning the Nicaraguan government for unjust imprisonment of these people, and I hope my colleagues will join in support. I am praying for a swift resolution to this situation so these pastors can be safely returned to their families and continue sharing the Gospel. I am grateful to the Members of Congress who joined me for this Special Order to highlight this issue and call on the Nicaraguan government to release the imprisoned pastors immediately. I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), one of my first cosponsors of H. Res. 1019.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Palmer), my friend.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, previously our colleagues across the aisle were talking about hope and mental health in America. I think in Nicaragua, these ministries and certainly these missionaries were impacting people's lives and bringing them hope. It is just a shame what has happened to them. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Wyoming (Ms. Hageman).

Mr. MOORE of Alabama

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3602) to prohibit the intentional hindering of immigration, border, and customs controls, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. MOORE of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Joe Biden took the office of President and immediately did exactly what he had promised on the campaign trail to do: He reversed the Trump administration's immigration policies. By doing so, the new President let the world know that America's borders are open. President Biden rescinded the remain in Mexico policy, prevented the removal of illegal aliens, and blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection from enforcing immigration laws. In the weeks and months that followed, President Biden terminated the Trump-era policies aimed at preventing fraudulent asylum claims, ending catch and release, increasing criminal alien removals, and preventing illegal immigration. We are still in the midst of the Biden administration's extended result: The biggest mass illegal immigration in the history of the United States. More than 7.6 million illegal aliens have been encountered by CBP on the southwest border. There have been 38 straight months of more than 100,000 southwest border CBP encounters. The Biden administration has released nearly 4.7 million illegal aliens into America's communities, in addition to at least 1.8 million known got-aways avoiding apprehension. At least 357 illegal aliens on the terrorist watch list have been encountered by Border Patrol along the southwest border. No doubt more have evaded detection. All of this is just on the southwest border. Our northern border is also seeing record-high numbers of illegal aliens encountered by CBP. Early last year, House Republicans acted to secure our border. We passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, to end the abuse of the U.S. immigration system, whether by the administration, cartels, or the illegal aliens themselves. Had Senate Democrat leadership not refused to debate H.R. 2 on the Senate floor for more than 330 days, perhaps we would not still have mass lawlessness on our border. In the meantime, we keep reading media reports that President Biden is looking to use his executive authority to quell the border chaos. Each time, though, the open-borders advocates tell Joe Biden not to use that authority, and each time he bends to their wishes. Americans are outraged that our own Federal Government turns a blind eye to the chaos that has been created. Americans are tired of seeing mobs of illegal aliens beating up New York police officers, watching endless numbers of illegal aliens stream across the southwest border, and hearing the heart-wrenching details of the deaths of innocent young men and women, including a U.S. Senate staffer, caused by illegal aliens who should not have been here in the first place. Today, House Republicans are trying again to make our Democrat colleagues and President Biden take this border crisis seriously. H.R. 3602 will restore successful Trump-era policies and remove the rewards and incentives the Democrats have used to entice people to violate our own Nation's sovereignty. Division A includes provisions in the Homeland Security Committee's jurisdiction that help secure our border. For instance, it includes provisions to require border wall construction, to increase the number of Border Patrol agents, and provide them with bonus pay and to deploy additional technology to that border. Division B includes provisions in the jurisdiction of the Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees. Title I reforms the asylum process to deter fraudulent asylum claims from aliens, including economic migrants, and assures that aliens granted asylum are truly being persecuted by their existing government. Title II ends the Biden administration's catch and release policies by clarifying that the DHS Secretary must remove or detain illegal aliens who arrive at the border or place them into remain in Mexico- type programs. There are no other options. The aliens cannot be paroled or otherwise released into the U.S. unless an immigration judge grants that alien asylum or some other immigration benefit. Title III directs the Secretary of State to renegotiate successful Trump policies--asylum cooperative agreements and the remain in Mexico program--with his diplomatic counterparts. Title IV fixes the disastrous Flores settlement that rewards illegal aliens who rent or buy children to pose as family units to avoid detention. Instead, it keeps legitimate families together as they await adjudication of their asylum claims. Title V requires that unaccompanied alien children be immediately and safely returned to their home country--as we already do for unaccompanied children from Mexico and Canada--rather than trafficked, abandoned, and then exploited in our country. It helps end our government's role in child smuggling and trafficking, a role that is morally reprehensible. Title VI applies the same penalties for visa overstays as we currently do for illegal border crossings. Under current law, it is a misdemeanor to cross the border illegally, a felony to cross it repeatedly, and yet only a civil infraction to overstay your visa. Title VII ends the Biden administration's abuse of parole authority, abuses which circumvent immigration law. Parole is inherently a case- by-case review based on individual circumstances in which the rigors of the law are inappropriate. Parole by category isn't parole. It is a new law by fiat. Instead, such changes must be considered and passed by Congress in a Nation that respects the rule of law. Finally, Title VIII creates two grant programs. The first provides funding for States to construct or improve border barriers and border technology. The second reimburses States for money spent on law enforcement activities related to the border. H.R. 3602 will help end the border chaos and ensure respect for U.S. immigration laws. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.